NATIONALISM - ARMED FORCES DAY and POWER for PEACE

The theme for this year’s U.S. celebration of Armed Forces Day is “United in Strength.” We have the:

• second largest military in the world (1,454,515 active and 848,000 reserve soldiers).
• largest annual budget in the world ($692 billion), 42 percent of world military expenditures.

"The support of an informed American people is increasingly important to the Armed Forces …. I, therefore, encourage members of the DoD to observe Armed Forces Day by informing the American people of our 'Power for Peace' and by confirming their faith that in our strength we will remain free." - former Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara.

However, according to this unnamed military sergeant, most soldiers aren’t able to accurately inform Americans,

"My thoughts and beliefs are somewhat confused these days. But, I want to express some feelings I've kept inside for some time. I'm a Sergeant in the U.S. Many soldiers feel something is wrong with some of our missions and some of the things we are being commanded to do, so few actually know what is going on in the military and the world today.

"As did most, I entered the military to serve and protect the freedoms and property of the people of my own nation against communism…. Several of us, including the Lieutenant, understand that we are once again being used to undermine the present government of this non-communist dictatorship and prepare it to become another asset of the United Nations. Understanding this, puts us in a shameful and stressful situation. It's difficult to change one's job description from one of guarantor of freedom to one of facilitator of world slavery.

"... Soldiers and 'the folks back home' are told that we're helping the poor and oppressed people in other countries. I could live with that, but it's not true. It's like we are mercenaries for the highest bidder, not American soldiers…

"...We have been instructed that any U.S. individuals or groups that espouse …'patriotic activism', 'constitutional violations' or government conspiracies are subversives and it will do our careers severe damage to express interest... That speaks volumes, since some in the military are members of anti-American movements. …Having a leftist world view is somewhat beneficial at promotion time. …it does seem the day may come when we will all have to decide whom and what we will serve.

"…Many …are misled to believe that a one-world system is going to be our answer to total equality and freedom. ...Under the United Nations' world government plan… rich Marxists in America and around the world are no respecters of persons. …All non-wealthy …peoples of the world, will be enslaved …to serve the masters of a 'world plantation'."

If we would only remove our distorted lenses, we would see the evidence supporting this soldier’s concerns. Subjection to a despotic government is not freedom! My guts wrench and my heart aches considering such deception and manipulation! How can we help the precious men and women who, in “good conscience” committed their lives to “serving the people of their nation?”

Many suggest that the only answer is to “reclaim our American roots.” I wonder if these soldiers consider such “solutions” or… do they recognize the roots as having set the stage for the culmination of that which was determined all along?

In spite of 1, 194,198+ American military fatalities, according to economist and historian Robert Higgs, “the U.S. government’s economic and military interventions have reduced the civil and economic liberties, prosperity, and genuine security of Americans. Although …on the winning side of World War I, World War II, and the Cold War, Americans ended up with fewer liberties than they had before the wars. Every year, orators declare that our leaders have gone to war to preserve our freedoms and have done so with glorious success, but the truth is just the opposite. War—the quintessential government activity—has been the mother’s milk for the nourishment of a growing tyranny in this country, and it remains so today.”

"I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." -James Madison

Are we truly honoring “those who serve” by ignoring the deceptive claims made by national leaders? Are we willing to help them see that it has never been nor will it ever be an earthly military with “'Power for Peace' and in who’s strength we will remain free?" Are we willing to stand by them as they face the shame and struggle to decide whom and what they will serve?

The only genuine comfort to offer them is the assurance that Jesus is the true source of power, peace and freedom! Confirming our faith in any other will always lead to deception! “No one can serve two masters.”

Whole-Heartedly,
Bonnie